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As many of my students know I stopped using sable brushes long ago. I began to question how the sable hair was acquired and never received a satisfactory answer. I became uncomfortable with the product. I found the new synthetic watercolor brushes to handle beautifully so I happily stopped purchasing any animal hair brushes of any sort.

Below is a great link about he fur trade and Kolinsky Sable brushes….why they are getting hard to find and why we should consider alternative brushes that give a wonderful effect without effecting wildlife. :O)

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First wishing all my Jizo Garden friends best of the holiday season and Merry Christmas! I find that I am posting less and less on Jizo Garden and my other blog http://www.barkingdogstudio.me is becoming my main blog. I hope those of you who would like to more frequent updates from me will join Barking Dog Studio =o)

When you go to my other website you will find a funny holiday video from me and my family…you will laugh 🙂

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I’m not a fan of summer heat but I do enjoy the days that pass slowly. I look forward to the cool air of fall. I usually spend time with my art work but this summer was devoted to the puppies. They are doing so well…looking pretty grown up at nearly 8 months old. Ben went to his first beauty shop appointment yesterday….a new experience for the both of us =) He was a star and is all clean and tidy…well as tidy as a Glen of Imaal can be 😉

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My classes are finished for the summer…. I’ve been spending the last week or so trying to get the garden together. Ben and Devon add a whole new twist to gardening. I have had to let go of some of the aesthetics and just try to protect many of the plants from bounding puppy games /’ . ‘\ I’m trying a small water garden…found a lovely glazed pot and filled it today with a waterlily plant and some water hyacinth. You haven’t seen Ben and Devy lately they are both six months old now, best friends, crazy, funny and sweet. Here are a few photos of summer so far…

Hoping my next post will be some new drawings =)

Devon with muddy face from “helping” in the garden…sweet sweet face ♥

Ben looking cute and sheepish ♥ woof!

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A nice group of ladies showed up for my Lichen and Moss workshop at NYBG. It’s always interesting to meet new people and see their individual approach to the botanical subjects presented to them….it was a nice class….one more to go =)

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Been working very hard to prepare for my class on Lichen and Mosses in Graphite and Watercolor this coming Friday =) I have put together a Keynote presentation and collected many mosses and lichens for students to use as subject matter. Hope everyone enjoys their class…. More work to do today….. Cross fingers =)